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GS Paper 1 Modern History

THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE – ITS VARIOUS STAGES AND IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS/ CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

Q.1) The Ilbert Bill controversy was not an isolated phenomenon from British Racist approach. In fact it was the culmination of that. Comment.

Source: NCERT

 

Answer structure:

• The Ilbert Bill was framed by Justice C.P Ilbert in 1883 on the instructions of Governor General Lord Rippon to provide the judicial equality to Indians in criminal Justice system.
• Till now the European citizens were enjoying the privilege that their criminal cases could only be tried by European judges.This provision was inspired by the concept of white racial superiority being followed by the British in India. Lord Ripon being a liberal & progressive Governor General tried to end this injustice being done through Ilbert Bill.
• The Ilbert Bill provided that the criminal cases involving European citizens could be tried by the Indian Judges as well but this bill was opposed by the European both in India & Britain severely Because inspired  by the concept  of white racism, the Europeans wanted to retain the Judicial privileges enjoyed by them.
• This Ilbert bill controversy was not an isolated expression of white racism because the policy of racial discrimination had been an integral feature of the British rule in India. Ever since the establishment of British rule, the concept of white supremacy was being followed in Pol-admin,military & socio-cultural matters. All the higher offices of state were under the monopoly of Europeans and the Indians were appointed only in inferior posts. The Indian culture was being insulted at every opportunity by the British but the Ilbert Bill controversy carried the racial discrimination at its climax because now the Europeans opposed even the natural right of the impartial justice Indian Citizens.

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GS PAPER 2 Polity and Governance

PARLIAMENT AND STATE LEGISLATURES- STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONING, CONDUCT OF BUSINESS, POWERS AND PRIVILEGES AND ISSUES ARISING OUT OF THESE. 

Q.2) Many experts believe that significance of Parliament has diminished over the years? Discuss the reason behind this phenomenon. Also suggest What can be done to reverse the phenomenon?

 

Source: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Bcy9Eg4aDIqGY8Kw7dKKMK/Vibrant-democracy-dormant-Parliament.html

Introduction:

Parliament is considered as a temple of democracy comprising of Lower House, Upper House and President is an apex law making body for the welfare of its citizens. However, since decades after the Indian republic’s founding, it should have been at the heart of people but has diminished in stature rather than evolving and maturing.

“Nehruvian Era” is known as Golden era due to its performance and outcome. However the recent phenomenon has witnessed slow and lagged process of legislation.

The reasons behind this phenomenon:

• The laws often passed are in rush manner through loud voice or majority support without and debate and discussions.
• There is little scrutiny of draft legislation and no follow up rules when laws are put in place to pass.
• The debate and discussion are often biased and partisan. Question asked by MPs, many of which are pandemic, unclear or on behest.
• The answers furnished by executive have very few points related to the question raised. Starred and unstarred questions answered contain vague points.
• Sometimes variation of opinions lead to walk outs or rushing to the well of the house compels the presiding officer to adjourn the house(s) leads towards reduced inclusivity.
• The ruling party’s ordinance route for passing laws and implementing it by by-passing the floor test leads to weakening of democracy.
• The difference of opinion within the party members are being suppressed, the individual member is punished for going against their party whip under Anti-defection law.
• Difference in time allocation to justify opinions between ruling and opposition party members does not allow the healthy discussion suppressing democratic process.

Way Forward:

• There is a need to bring reform in electoral process and public funding of election.
• Political reforms are also mandatory. Political parties should disclose their source of financing for bringing transparency in party functioning.
• Rules for election and day to day conduct should be set within political parties to foster intra party democracy.
• Reforms in parliamentary rules and regulations are need of the hour.
• Individual members should be allowed to keep their opinion by amending Anti-defection law.
• Time to present their opinion on the floor of the house should be increased.
• Absenteeism should be punished; ordinance should be issued for urgent need only.
• Number of working days should be increased to recognize the true potential of world’s largest democracy.

Conclusion:

Hence, it is essential to recognize the complexity of this problem and work accordingly as soon as possible to make the days of parliament more productive. The individual MPs should recognize their real job, responsibilities as a representative of people for what they have been elected.

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GS PAPER 3 Indian Economy

INDIAN ECONOMY AND ISSUES RELATING TO PLANNING, MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES

Q.3) What do You understand by Tax avoidance ? Critically discuss how GAAR will act as a Deterrent to Tax Avoidance?

Source: http://www.epw.in/journal/2017/27/web-exclusives/gaar-deterrent-tax-avoidance.html

Source: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tax_avoidance.asp

Tax avoidance is the use of legal methods to modify an individual’s financial situation to lower the amount of income tax owed. This is generally accomplished by claiming the permissible deductions and exemptions to lower the tax payable.

Most taxpayers use some form of tax avoidance. For example, individuals who contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans with pre-tax funds are engaging in tax avoidance because the taxes at the time of withdrawal is usually less than the individual would owe.

The expanding use of tax avoidance in the tax code has led to it becoming one of the most complex tax codes in the world. Tax avoidance is at the core of most proposals seeking to reform the tax code.
The general anti-avoidance rules (GAAR) was enacted by India in line with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project of OECD as a measure to curb tax avoidance.

How GAAR acts as deterrent?

• It defines an arrangement designed with the objective to avoid tax and reduces the propensity of  abuse of the tax law
• It can override all other provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961, including laws like SAAR.
• The procedural safeguards have been provided in the form of a three-tier mechanism in GAAR to remove arbitrariness.
• GAAR may compel cleaner business practices and help in minimizing the creation of shell companies abroad.
• It will certainly influence the internal functioning of companies.

Concerns/Analysis:

• The Indian context of GAAR has much wider scope of application thus creating apprehensions over interplay between DTAAs and GAAR.
• The aggressive application of transfer pricing provisions in the past by the taxman has increased litigations which is a concern for the industry.
• There is huge pressure on the taxman to augment the revenue collection which often results in inappropriate use of discretionary powers.
• Some experts fear that GAAR could end up choking efficient tax planning.
• The thin line difference between tax planning and tax avoidance can be subjectively interpreted increasing conflicts.
• The functioning of the approving panel is also filled with apprehensions.

While it would be naive to presume that GAAR can wipe out tax avoidance completely, but the time is appropriate for this progressive step towards transparency in taxation. Without it creating hurdles to ‘ease of doing business’, GAAR must be operationalised in letter and spirit.

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GS Paper 4 (Ethics & Integrity)

ETHICAL ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND FUNDING 

Q.4)  What do you mean by international ethics? Why it has become so relevant in present times?

(150 Words) (10 marks)

International ethics is an area of international relations theory which concerns the extent and scope of ethical obligations between states in an epoch of globalization. It is bases on the broader concept that international interactions, exchanges, relations can bring good to all life forms and these exchanges and interactions can be harmed by unfriendly, hostile, uncooperative behaviours.

International ethics enable the countries to participate more actively in shaping and building good international community. It also monitors international relations and tenacity of international conflicts.In the present era of a globalised world and the inter-dependency among various nations and the need to have good relations with all nations, the concept of international ethics has gained wide importance. These offer understandings into how nations and other entities treat other nations and its people. Good acquaintance of international ethics provides people with insights to assess the good and harms, the rights and wrongs, which can occur in the international space. For example, the UN has been encouraging various principles of friendly and cooperative and peace related humanitarian international actions by all the member countries in order to have good relations between various countries.

GS Paper 4 (Ethics & Integrity)

ETHICAL ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND FUNDING 

Q.4)  What do you mean by international ethics? Why it has become so relevant in present times?

(150 Words) (10 marks)

GS PAPER 3 Indian Economy

INDIAN ECONOMY AND ISSUES RELATING TO PLANNING, MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES

Q.3) What do You understand by Tax avoidance ? Critically discuss how GAAR will act as a Deterrent to Tax Avoidance?

Source: http://www.epw.in/journal/2017/27/web-exclusives/gaar-deterrent-tax-avoidance.html

Source: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tax_avoidance.asp

GS PAPER 2 Polity and Governance

PARLIAMENT AND STATE LEGISLATURES- STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONING, CONDUCT OF BUSINESS, POWERS AND PRIVILEGES AND ISSUES ARISING OUT OF THESE. 

Q.2) Many experts believe that significance of Parliament has diminished over the years? Discuss the reason behind this phenomenon. Also suggest What can be done to reverse the phenomenon?

 

Source: http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/Bcy9Eg4aDIqGY8Kw7dKKMK/Vibrant-democracy-dormant-Parliament.html

GS Paper 1 Modern History

THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE – ITS VARIOUS STAGES AND IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS/ CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

Q.1) The Ilbert Bill controversy was not an isolated phenomenon from British Racist approach. In fact it was the culmination of that. Comment.

Source: NCERT

GS Paper 1: Geography

SALIENT FEATURES OF WORLD’S PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Q.1) There is no formation of deltas by rivers of the Western Ghat. Why?

Source: NCERT

Rivers form deltas when the flow(speed) of the river water slows to the extent such that the silt it carries gets heavier and the water cannot carry it forward to the sea. For this condition to be satisfied we need the following to click:

1. Is the river long enough?. The length (of the river) from the point of its origins to the sea should be long enough.
2. How fast does the water drain into the sea?. If the water from the river drains too fast , then it probably takes the silt along with it into the sea.
3. How flat is the land?. If the land incline is too high, then the silt will be taken into the sea because it cannot fight against the gravitational force. Water falling down an incline is much faster than water flowing on plain ground.

In the case of Eastern Ghats (or east flowing rivers), all the three conditions are satisfied.

1. The Eastern Ghats are far away from both the seas (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal). Thus the rivers originating from the Eastern side of the Eastern Ghats are long enough. Or simply said, the East flowing rivers are longer in length compared to those which flow west. The length of Ganga is 2525 km while that of Narmada or Tapti is less than half of what Ganga is.
2. The Narmada’s average speed is higher compared to Ganga’s or Kaveri’s. Because the former travels a smaller distance over a more inclined terrain, and the latter covers a larger distance over a more flat terrain. The silt from Narmada flows directly into the Arabian sea,, while the silt from Kaveri and Ganga remains on the land (thus forming deltas- fertile lands for agriculture).

The Western Ghats are closer to the sea. This also explains why Mumbai and Mangalore receives much higher average rainfall compared to Chennai and Nellore. The clouds easily precipitate over Mumbai because the Western Ghats are much nearer to Mumbai. Any hill station like Matheran or Mahabaleshwar is much nearer to Mumbai compared to any popular hill station like Ooty or Munnar is from Chennai. This means that the incline of the land is larger in the Western coast. Thus the river directly drains faster into the Arabian Sea. Whereas Kaveri and Ganges flow very slowly as they near the coast. Thus the silt they carry becomes heavier and gets deposited in the delta region.

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GS Paper 2: Polity & Governance

PARLIAMENT AND STATE LEGISLATURES- STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONING, CONDUCT OF BUSINESS, POWERS AND PRIVILEGES AND ISSUES ARISING OUT OF THESE.

Q.2) Do you think there is a need for codifying privileges and giving primacy to a citizen’s right to free speech over legislative privileges? Critically comment. 

Source:

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/whose-privilege/article19146547.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/bring-the-house-up-to-date/article19255053.ece

Introduction:

Privilege means a special right, advantage or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group. Our Indian Constitution under Article 105 and 194 provide such privileges to legislatures in order to maintain its independent nature, debate and discuss any matter to any extent and to criticize the opinion of others only for positive outcomes while codifying a law. However, what constitute the privilege is left undefined by our constitution framers and left on the fate of legislatures to define from time to time.

Main Text

This undefined nature has made our legislatures to use it for self gain in the name of protecting sovereignty. One such case has been in Karnataka assembly where two tabloids editors are punished for criticizing its legislative members. This undermines the freedom of speech and expression provided under Article 19(1). This necessitates the codifying of privileges and possible punishment under it to maintain the sovereignty of people and not of legislators.

Article 19(2) puts reasonable restriction on the citizen in matters of freedom of speech and expression but there is no such restriction on our legislatures. They have been granted immune from arrest while session in progress with 40 days window period before and after session and also during meetings. This immune provides them the ground to remain free throughout the year.

However, the codification of privileges is basically resisted because it would make the privileges subject to fundamental rights and hence to judicial scrutiny and evolution of new privileges would not be possible. Legislators have been arguing that codification of privileges will harm the sovereignty of Parliament but to note that our parliament is not supreme, it’s our constitution.

Conclusion

This necessitates bringing balance among Fundamental Rights (freedom of speech), legislative privileges and sovereignty. Parliament can involve expertise from across and with effective debate and discussion should seek the answer of this urgently needed vexed question.

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GS Paper 3: Indian Economy

ISSUES RELATED TO DIRECT AND INDIRECT FARM SUBSIDIES AND MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICES

Q.3) Policy should focus not just on higher production but also on helping farmers manage risks” Discuss. How price deficiency payments can address price risk?

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170517/niti-for-price-deficiency-payment.html

https://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-the-difficult-economics-of-the-indian-farmer/

Farmer suicides, recurring debts, loan waivers and rallies are testimony to the extreme livelihood risks and distress that farming in India today entails. Farming has become mired in risks from sowing to marketing to price realization. While the focus on production in the initial years has ensured self-sufficiency in food grains, demand side risks continue to make agriculture unsustainable.

The production risks (limited irrigation infrastructure, costly inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers) besides weather vagaries have been taxing on the farmer on the supply side. But demand side risks are bigger and concerning.

The various demand side risks associated to farmer distress have been discussed below:

1. Inadequate Agriculture Marketing:

The farmer is forced to sell in the nearest mandis at pre-determined rates due to flawed and non uniform APMC acts forcing farmers towards distress sale and poor price realization.

The recently launched e-NAM to integrate markets giving farmers a choice to sell his produce across markets is a positive step.

2. Poor Agro-Credit/Finance:

The existing exorbitant rates of interests of money lenders and poor credit flow from formal institutions has made farming cycle debt ridden.

3. Lack of Cold Storage facilities:

The post harvest produce is often rotting and wasted due to lack of cold chain storage facilities and poor forward and backward linkages.

4. Pricing and Procurement Problems:

The MSP is an essential driver for farmer motivation to sowing and to deal with a crash in markets. The government’s timid MSP support in specific crops (23 only) and untimely procurement has only aggravated the farming risks.

While few state governments have put e-procurement systems in place like e-upanjana in MP and Karnataka but remains to be intermittent and inadequate.

5. Poor insurance cover:

The untimely and inadequate compensation at the advent of a crop loss is another issue. The recently launched PM Fasal Bima Yojana has also not yielded good results.

6. Other risks:

The slow adoption of technology, poor dissemination of critical information, poor research and education has only made the situation more vulnerable.

 

NITI Aayog recently proposed a system called Price deficiency payment to counter the pricing risk. It means government would compensate the farmer through a Direct Benefit Transfer if prices fall below a pre-determined threshold levels. This would ensure a minimum guaranteed return to farmers even when bumper harvest is there. DBT will be 10% of threshold without buying the product. Meaning, farmer can still sold it at market price with lesser 10% less risk. Hence it will help him managing his risk. It is a marked move away from the subsidies and thus in line with WTO regulations. Taking it further MS Swaminathan’s suggestion on quantum of compensation (1.5 times MSP) can be considered too.

The existing and new schemes be it SAMPADA, Mera GAON Mera GAURAV, PDS replication of Chattisgarh, PM Fasal Bima, e-NAM along with integration of Digital India and GST has to be implemented on war footing pan India to tackle above risks.

As there are multiple socio-economic factors at play, managing both production and demand risks simultaneously is required to reduce vulnerability. To achieve 4% growth as envisaged in 12th FYP and doubling farmer’s income, multiple mechanisms of agriculture risk management is the need of the hour.

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GS Paper 4: Ethics and Integrity

APTITUDE AND FOUNDATIONAL VALUES FOR CIVIL SERVICE, INTEGRITY, IMPARTIALITY AND NON-PARTISANSHIP, OBJECTIVITY, DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE, EMPATHY, TOLERANCE AND COMPASSION TOWARDS THE WEAKER-SECTIONS

Q.4) Why in your opinion, is having tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections important for a civil servant? (150 Words) (10 marks)

Civil servant has the power to change the lives of millions. It is Tolerance and Compassion that brings a civil servant closer to the common people.  Compassion is the feeling of empathy for others. Compassion motivates a civil servant for helping someone who is needy. Tolerance and compassion make a civil servant to lead with not only head but also heart. They are the fundamental components of character and positive relationship which will be helpful to deliver the services and requirements fulfilling the needs of weaker sections.

Importance:

In the services of daily needs, like provision of essential items to the common man especially from weaker sections, has become one of the challenging task before a civil servant. It is very essential that civil servants should listen to the complaints, queries and suggestions in an empathetic manner. While resolving the issues, a civil servant needs to find solutions in an impartial and objective manner while adhering to the law of the land. People especially from weaker section of society, may sometimes lose their patience and display some annoyances or anger, hence civil servants are required to maintain their cool and tolerance.

 

GS Paper 4: Ethics and Integrity

APTITUDE AND FOUNDATIONAL VALUES FOR CIVIL SERVICE, INTEGRITY, IMPARTIALITY AND NON-PARTISANSHIP, OBJECTIVITY, DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE, EMPATHY, TOLERANCE AND COMPASSION TOWARDS THE WEAKER-SECTIONS

Q.4) Why in your opinion, is having tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections important for a civil servant? (150 Words) (10 marks)

GS Paper 3: Indian Economy

ISSUES RELATED TO DIRECT AND INDIRECT FARM SUBSIDIES AND MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICES

Q.3) Policy should focus not just on higher production but also on helping farmers manage risks” Discuss. How price deficiency payments can address price risk?

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170517/niti-for-price-deficiency-payment.html

https://www.civilsdaily.com/op-ed-snap-the-difficult-economics-of-the-indian-farmer/